HiLooking for ideas on iteneraries 2-3 days backpacking in early sep.We're in pretty good shape and have backpacking experience. Read too much info and got confused Will be arriving with a car and prefer a loop route if possible, one way + shuttle is less desired although possible.Any ideas?Thanks!

Cathedral Lakes, return via Sunrise Trail, short shuttle ride back to the car

Most, if not all these trailheads, have full reservations, but if you're willing to come and try for a walk-up, first-come, first-served permit, you can probably get one or another. All three are nice hikes that fit into your time constraints.

Your suggestions look promising!I'll be hiking with my brother who's never been to Yosemite.Is there a way to include the Yosemite valley in any such backpacking routes so he wont miss the famous highlights?

In that case, I have to agree that you should visit the Valley first and foremost. If you want to do that and still backpack for a couple nights, you could consider a short trip out of Glacier Point, say along the Pohono Trail or along Illilouette Creek, then down the Panorama Trail and back to the Valley. Unfortunately, that would require some transportation logistics, but as a bonus, with that wilderness permit, you get 2 nights (one before your hike, one after) at the Valley backpackers' camp. Don't underestimate the value in that, because getting a decent site in the Valley is a pain, if not next to impossible. And, after seeing the Valley from below, seeing it from above lends a whole new perspective to it.

One other thought for a trip out of the Valley would be to go up Yosemite Falls, over to North Dome, then back down Snow Creek. This area is known as the North Rim, and it would be a loop.

We just did Pohono from Tunnel view, camped next to Bridelveil creek on night 1, hiked to Glacier Point, took Panorama trail down to Little Yosemite Valley and camped there for night 2, and then did Half Dome the next morning, and took the JMT back to the valley. We had 2 cars, so were able to coordinate in that way, but the shuttle can be used too. We asked about the Half Dome permit when we picked up our backcountry permit, and we were able to get it. I would say that this route may have limited water in September. We've tried to do this itinerary in previous years, and would've needed enough water to bring us from Tunnel View to Glacier Point. You might have better luck this year though - the water is really flowing! Good luck!